I first encountered the concept of Personal Learning Networks (PLN) a little over a year ago. For a course entitled “Learning Trends” my group presented and lead a discussion on PLNs. As a full time graduate student, employee and mom with young children I didn’t have the time to map out my own PLN, something I thought would be a good reflective endeavor. Fast forward to now..I’ve been working on diagramming my current PLN using Prezi. For me the concept of a PLN demonstrates the power of informal learning and the self-directed nature of 21st century learning. Conscious development of a PLN recognizes that we are learning all the time. The process of developing a viable and beneficial learning network involves the skills we need in this age of information to be able to sift through information. Ironic as it may be, it also requires that we value the human connections (the social aspect of learning). It is ultimately people exploring, researching and sharing that fuels a learning network (irrespective of the tools that might facilitate the process).
At the end of the prezi I ask for your feedback. If you have blogged or reflected on your own personal learning network and want to share, I’d love to hear what process you went though as you established your own PLN.
My Personal Learning Network (PLN) on Prezi
Our class thoughts on the implications of PLN for design are mapped out here.
Another resources for PLNs, including individual stories of people about their PLN from Shelly Terrell.